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Medical Benefits of Fasting (Ramadan)

Most Submitters (Muslims) do not fast because of
medical benefits but because it has been ordained to them in the Quran. The
medical benefits of fasting are as a result of fasting. Fasting in general has
been used in medicine for medical reasons including weight management, for rest
of the digestive tract and for lowering lipids. There are many adverse effects
of total fasting as well as so-called crash diets. Islamic fasting is different
from such diet plans because in Ramadan fasting, there is no malnutrition or
inadequate calorie intake. The caloric intake of Muslims during Ramadan is at
or slightly below the national requirement guidelines. In addition, the fasting
in Ramadan is voluntarily taken and is not a prescribed imposition from the
physician.

Ramadan is a month of self-regulation and self-training, with the hope that
this training will last beyond the end of Ramadan. If the lessons learned during
Ramadan, whether in terms of dietary intake or righteousness, are carried on
after Ramadan, it is beneficial for one’s entire life. Moreover, the type
of food taken during Ramadan does not have any selective criteria of crash diets
such as those which are protein only or fruit only type diets. Everything that
is permissible is taken in moderate quantities.

The only difference between Ramadan and total fasting is the timing of the
food; during Ramadan, we basically miss lunch and take an early breakfast and
do not eat until dusk. Abstinence from water during this period is not bad at
all and in fact, it causes concentration of all fluids within the body, producing
slight dehydration. The body has its own water conservation mechanism; in fact,
it has been shown that slight dehydration and water conservation, at least in
plant life, improve their longevity.

The physiological effect of fasting includes lower of blood sugar, lowering
of cholesterol and lowering of the systolic blood pressure. In fact, Ramadan
fasting would be an ideal recommendation for treatment of mild to moderate,
stable, non-insulin diabetes, obesity and essential hypertension. In 1994 the
first International Congress on "Health and Ramadan," held in Casablanca,
entered 50 research papers from all over the world, from Muslim and non-Muslim
researchers who have done extensive studies on the medical ethics of fasting.
While improvement in many medical conditions was noted; however, in no way did
fasting worsen any patients’ health or baseline medical condition. On
the other hand, patients who are suffering from severe diseases, whether diabetes
or coronary artery disease, kidney stones, etc., are exempt from fasting and
should not try to fast.

There are psychological effects of fasting as well. There is a peace and tranquility
for those who fast during the month of Ramadan. Personal hostility is at a minimum,
and the crime rate decreases. This psychological improvement could be related
to better stabilization of blood glucose during fasting as hypoglycemia after
eating, aggravates behavior changes.

Recitation of the Quran not only produces a tranquility of heart and mind,
but improves the memory. Therefore, I encourage my Muslim patients to fast in
the month of Ramadan, but they must do it under medical supervision. Healthy
adult Muslims should not fear becoming weak by fasting, but instead it should
improve their health and stamina.

(Reproduced from the Submitters Perspective, January 1999.
Published by the International Community of Submitters, Masjid Tucson, P. O.
Box 43476, Tucson, AZ 85733)

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